“Why you go, Daddy?”
“For work.”
“Why?”
“Because sometimes I have to go on trips for work.”
“Why?” she repeats as I put her in her car seat.
“Hey, little Miss, I already answered that question.”
“Nuh-uh.”
I level my gaze at her. “Why does Daddy go on trips?” She has the nerve to shrug. “I just told you. Now, you tell me.”
She stares at me for a moment, her legs swinging side to side and bumping into me. “For work,” she finally answers.
“See? You’re a good listener. Daddy likes good listeners.” I kiss her forehead and she grins. I close the door and get into the driver’s seat, so we can finally head home.
She tells Sydney all about her lesson and Sydney listens as if she doesn’t already know everything. Savannah also tells her that she’s a good listener. Sydney glances at me when she says this, but I just shrug with a smile. I manage to wrangle Savannah away from Sydney to give her a bath and then we sit in the recliner together to watch TV until it’s time for bed.
That’s when my phone rings with a dreaded call from my mother. I guess I’ve avoided her for long enough.
“Hello?”
“How can you tell me news like that and then ignore me, Ian? Tell me everything right now.”
“I’m good, Mom. Thanks for asking. How are you?” I sarcastically ask. When she doesn’t say anything, I sigh. “Did you call Dad?”
“Yes, and he told me that he kept the truth from you and then that she did the same thing. Are you sure this kid is yours?”
“Yes.”
“Did you have a test done?”
“Mom, I don’t need one!”
That starts her on a thirty-minute rant about how I need to get a DNA test performed to make sure that Savannah is mine. At one point, I set the phone down and motion for Sydney to come sit with me. I’ve been keeping my distance, not wanting to get sick, but I’m going to need to hold on to her to keep my anger at bay.
“What’s going on?” she whispers.
“Mom wants a paternity test.” Her eyes widen, but I pick the phone back up. “Are you done?” I ask when there’s a pause.
“No. What are you doing for this girl and her daughter? What’s going on now? Your father said that you’ve been dating her on and off since you were in high school basically.”
“Yeah, that’s the condensed version. Now, we’re living together, she’s going to school, and I take care of them. Things are good.”
“Wait. Wait. Wait. You’re taking care of them? She’s not working? Are you crazy, Ian? What if she’s just using you for your money?” Sydney tenses in my arms, obviously able to hear her. “You don’t need to hand over your money like that, especially if you don’t know for sure that the kid is yours.”
“Are you kidding me?” I interrupt. “You’re a fucking hypocrite. I can’t use my money to take care of my family but you can leave yours to marry some fucker for his money? I didn’t tell you for any other reason other than to let you know that you have a granddaughter. If you want to know about her, then I’ll be more than happy to tell you. Otherwise, keep your fucking opinions to yourself. Do you understand me?”
She stutters and then, “I’m just looking out for you!”
“Bullshit. If you want to talk about your granddaughter, you can call me. Don’t call me for anything else. I’m done with this stupid shit.” I hang up before she can say anything else.
“Ian,” Sydney starts softly.
“Babe, don’t.” I don’t know what she was going to say, but I don’t want to hear anything right now. I’m too damn pissed and the last thing I want is for that anger to transfer over to Sydney.